Full motion, hip belt to backpack frame attachment system

ABSTRACT

The invention is a system for attaching a hip belt to a backpack frame in a manner that doesn&#39;t restrict the motion of the user but effectively carries vertical load. This is accomplished by adding a hip frame attached to the sides of the hip belt and attaching this hip frame at its center to the backpack frame with a slip joint and link. 
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Patent

Application No.: 62/153,294

Filling Date: Apr. 27, 2015

Name of Applicant: Richard Alan Sellers

Title of Invention: Full motion, Hip Supported, Back Pack and Frame

This current application for a nonprovisional patent is for the sameinvention as described in the above provisional patent. The title waschanged to better reflect the nature of the invention.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, ETC.

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to backpacks and backpack frames. Morespecifically, the invention is a new system for attaching a hip belt toa backpack frame that allows complete freedom of motion while supportingbackpack frame loads on the user's hips.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The first backpacks were bags with shoulder straps attached to them.These backpacks offer freedom of movement but poor load carryingcapability. Frames (internal or external) were added to distribute loadand are sometimes used without a bag to carry odd shaped items. Toincrease load carrying capability, hip belts where added, but with stiffbackpacks and backpack frames, this reduces the freedom of motion of theperson carrying the backpack. To improve the load carrying capability ofthe hip belt, some backpack frames extend forward on the bottom so thatthe hip belts can be attached to the backpack frames on the sides of theperson's body instead of the back. This further increases the resistanceto hip rotation. To allow easier rotation of the hips, some backpacksstiffen the hip belt and attach the hip belt to the backpack frame atits back center position with a rotating pin joint capable of carryingmoment. While freeing hip rotation, this still restricts twisting andback bending. It is therefore an object of this invention to connect ahip belt to a backpack frame in a simple manner that provides completefreedom of motion while carrying backpack frame loads on the user'ships.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is to connect a hip belt to a backpackframe in a simple manner that provides complete freedom of motion whilecarrying backpack frame loads on the user's hips. This is accomplishedby adding a hip frame that is attached to the sides of a hip belt andattaching the hip frame at its center to the backpack frame with a slipjoint and link. Besides allowing sliding motion, the slip joint allowsrotation in all directions and the link allows rotation in alldirections at its ends. This invention allows a user's back to twist andbend and their hips to rotate while their hips support vertical backpackframe loads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a back-side perspective view of the ideal model of thisinvention.

FIG. 2 is a front-side perspective view of an implementation of thisinvention.

FIG. 3A is a back view of the system implemented in a backpack design.

FIG. 3B is a back view that shows the system allowing the user to rotatetheir hips.

FIG. 4A is a side view that shows the system implemented in a backpackdesign.

FIG. 4B is a side view that shows the system allowing the user to bendtheir back.

FIG. 5A is a top view that shows the system implemented in a backpackdesign.

FIG. 5B is a top view that shows the system allowing the user to twisttheir back.

FIG. 6A is a side view free body force diagrams of the systemimplemented in a backpack design.

FIG. 6B shows the side view free body force diagrams of the individualcomponents.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is new system for attaching a hip belt to a backpackframe that allows complete freedom of motion while supporting thebackpack frame loads on the user's hips. An ideal model of the inventionis shown in FIG. 1. The new components in this invention are hip frame1, link 2 and slip joint 3. Backpack frame 4 has a minor modificationfrom existing technology (only the modified portion is shown in FIG. 1)and hip belt 5 is existing technology without modification. Hip frame 1is attached to the sides of hip belt 5. Hip frame 1 is attached tobackpack frame 4 by link 2 at its center bottom location and by slipjoint 3 at its center top location. An implementation of the inventioninto a backpack design is shown in FIG. 2.

This invention allows complete freedom of motion while supporting thebackpack frame loads on the user's hips. The invention allows user 12'ships to rotate as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B and allows user 12′s backto bend as shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B. Furthermore, the inventionallows user 12 to twist as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B.

The free body force diagrams of the invention implemented into abackpack design and the free body force diagrams of the individualinvention components are shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B. The geometry ofthe system is arranged so that the stabilizing moment created on hipframe 1 by forces R3 and R4 from link 2 and slip joint 3 is larger thanthe destabilizing moment imparted on hip frame 1 by forces R1 and R2from hip belt 5 and so keeps the system from collapsing.

Hip frame 1 transfers the load from link 2 to the sides of hip belt 5.Hip frame 1 as shown in an implementation of this invention in FIG. 2 ismade from graphite composite material with a foam core, however the hipframe is not limited to this material or configuration.

Link 2 transfers vertical load from backpack frame 4 to hip frame 5.Link 2 as shown in FIG. 1 must simulate a tension rod with sphericalbearings on each end that allow free rotation in all directionssufficient to allow hip rotation plus back twisting and bending. Link 2as shown in an implementation of this invention in FIG. 2 is made ofdyneema cord. The flexibility of the cord allows it to simulate atension rod with spherical bearings. Link 2 is not limited to thismaterial or configuration.

Slip joint 3 is offset from link 2 to provide the moment capabilityrequired to keep the system from collapsing and also transfers forwardand aft loads to hip frame 1. As shown in FIG. 1, slip joint 3 mustsimulate a spherical bearing that slides on backpack frame 4′s verticalmember. It must allow hip frame 1 to slide up and down and rotate in alldirections relative to backpack frame 4 sufficient to allow hip rotationplus back twisting and bending. Slip joint 3 as shown in animplementation of this invention in FIG. 2 is made of two graphitecomposite rods with plastic rub surfaces, one on each side of backpackframe 4, that are attached to hip frame 1, a plastic rub surfaceattached to hip frame 1 and a dyneema cord loop through hip frame 1 andaround backpack frame 4 to hold the joint together. Slip joint 3 is notlimited to these materials or configuration.

Many existing backpack frame designs can be modified for use inimplementing this invention. Only the modified portion of backpack frame4 is shown in FIG. 1. The requirements are that backpack frame 4 in itslower third, have a near vertical section on its center where itinterfaces with slip joint 3 and a location below that where link 2 canbe attached. Backpack frame 4 as shown in an implementation of thisinvention in FIG. 2 is made of graphite composite with acetal copolymerrub surfaces where it interfaces with slip joint 3. The interface withlink 2 is a graphite composite clip connected by polyester webbing to apolyester webbing pouch which the bottom of backpack frame 4 slides intoand to which shoulder straps 7 and 8 are attached. Backpack frame 4 andits attachment provisions for link 2 and slip joint 3 are not limited tothese materials or configuration.

Shown in an implementation of this invention in FIG. 2, but not newcomponents in backpack design are hip belt 5, positioning spring 6,shoulder straps 7 and 8, sway straps 9 and 10 and backpack bag 11.

Hip belt 5 is designed to attach on its sides to a frame, in this casehip frame 1. Hip belts like this have been used for over 45 years andare not new to this invention.

Position spring 6 is used to hold the system in place when the hip beltis not in use. It lightly pulls hip frame 1 to its full up position whenthe hip belt is not fastened on the user, making it easier to put on thebackpack.

Sway straps 9 and 10 are common on backpacks and help keep the lowerportion of the backpack close to the user and from swinging around whilethe user moves. When implementing this invention in a complete backpackdesign, the sway straps are mounted up higher on the backpack and attachto shoulder straps 7 and 8 instead of the hip belt. This allows thebackpack to move with the user's upper body.

Although the implementation of the invention as show in FIG. 2 is apreferred embodiment of the ideal model of this invention show in FIG.1, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications andvariations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

1. A hip belt to backpack frame mounting system comprising: a backpackframe with or without a backpack bag that has a near vertical member onits center, somewhere in the bottom third of said backpack frame onwhich a slip joint can interface and a feature on said backpack frame'scenter and beneath said backpack frame's slip joint interface where alink can be attached; a hip frame that spans around the user's back toattachment points on the sides of a hip belt; a slip joint attached toand located at the center upper position of said hip frame that slideson said backpack frame's vertical member and allows said hip frame torotate in all directions so that the motion of said user isn'trestricted; a link attached to said hip frame, located below said slipjoint, that attaches said hip frame to said backpack frame and allowssaid hip frame to rotated in all directions so that the motion of saiduser isn't restricted.
 2. The hip belt to backpack frame mounting systemof claim 1, where the stabilizing moment on said hip frame from theforces from said slip joint and said link is larger than thedestabilizing moment imparted on said hip frame by forces from said hipbelt so that said system does not collapse.